BP extends tests on oil well structure as cap finally holds

Officials hopeful worst spill in US history has now been contained

NEW ORLEANS - Engineers monitored a newly-capped oil well in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday amid cautious optimism the months-long spill behind the worst environmental disaster in US history has been finally contained.

The tests, which involve multiple pressure readings on the wellbore that runs to the oil reservoir below the sea floor, have provided "valuable information," Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said.